The pandemic and subsequent lockdown changed the cultural landscape around the country. When salon appointments became an impossibility, gray hair began popping up with increasing frequency. Originally making this decision out of necessity, more people are embracing their gray hair this spring even with salons open again.
Every hair color and style requires certain methods of upkeep, though. From the friendship between kinky hair and sulfate-free shampoo to the mild moisturizers that condition dry hair textures, every shape and shade of hair has its needs. So, as the flowers bloom and everyone embraces their silver locks, here’s how hairstylists recommend best tending to those gray tresses, no matter the style.
It’s worth trying different styles and lengths when going gray
Celebrity hairstylist Rodney Cutler owns Cutler Salon and throughout his career, he has seen numerous types of hair types in shades of gray. He has some advice for those who are joining the throng embracing their gray hair this spring.
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Just because someone might be following in the footsteps of celebrities like Andie MacDowell and going gray doesn’t mean they can’t use any other coloring product – and certain styles might lend themselves to this being a good approach, just like different lengths can be especially flattering and easy to work with. For example, Cutler says, short styles like the pixie cut can make it very easy to change over to the new color. It’s nice and short, allows for old colors to be quickly cut away, and can then grow into whatever new look each person might prefer. If, though, they want to stay with long hair, they certainly can, though Cutler then recommends adding in a few highlights and moving the part away from the middle to add further interest.
Graying hair does mean meeting new needs
Naturally graying hair is the result of aging, which means the pigment follicles in each hair strand die. Fewer pigment cells most visibly mean a lighter, transparent color like silver, but it means something else too that demands attention in a subtle but important way. “The hair strands will no longer contain as much melanin,” stresses Cutler. “This can leave the hair feeling dull, dry and frizzy.” So, he recommends using more oils and creams that will moisturize the hair, so going gray doesn’t have to mean thinning hair.
Additionally, there’s the chemistry to consider. Chemical reactions happen everywhere, constantly, and that includes with hair. Blonde hair risks turning green from pool water thanks to the copper in the liquid. Gray hair has its own version of this when it sometimes developed a yellow tint to it. If someone wants to fully commit to silver, using a purple or gray shampoo even just once a week can restore balance to the world – and a person’s scalp.
What color hair will you be embracing this season?
